Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral opens in Bahrain - in pictures

The streets outside Our Lady of Arabia cathedral are festooned with the Bahraini and Papal flags. John Dennehy / The National
The streets outside Our Lady of Arabia cathedral are festooned with the Bahraini and Papal flags. John Dennehy / The National
The cathedral can seat more then 2,000 worshippers. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
The cathedral can seat more then 2,000 worshippers. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Inside the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
Inside the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, south of the Bahraini capital, Manama. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral in Awali, south of the Bahraini capital, Manama. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Photographs show the construction of the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
Photographs show the construction of the cathedral. John Dennehy / The National
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, granted the 9,000 square metre plot of land eight years ago. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, granted the 9,000 square metre plot of land eight years ago. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
The church resembles a tent in which the Prophet Moses met his people, as described in the Old Testament. John Dennehy / The National
The church resembles a tent in which the Prophet Moses met his people, as described in the Old Testament. John Dennehy / The National
A band gets ready for the service. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
A band gets ready for the service. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
A choir sings at the opening of the cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
A choir sings at the opening of the cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Light floods the cathedral from different angles. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Light floods the cathedral from different angles. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Bahrain has long allowed faiths other than Islam the freedom to worship in peace. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Bahrain has long allowed faiths other than Islam the freedom to worship in peace. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Inside the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Inside the Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
The cathedral is located close to an oil field. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
The cathedral is located close to an oil field. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
The grey walls are made with pietra serena stone that is only produced in Florence. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple
The grey walls are made with pietra serena stone that is only produced in Florence. Photo: Katarina Holtzapple
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, centre, presents a replica of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral to Sheikh Abdullah. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, centre, presents a replica of Our Lady of Arabia Cathedral to Sheikh Abdullah. Mazen Mahdi / AFP
Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National
Bishop Paul Hinder said the Catholic Church was grateful to Bahrain. Pawan Singh / The National